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Lyrics & meaning

Kannala Vazhvile

From Rambaiyin Kaadhal · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Suseela, P. Bhanumathi
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Rambaiyin Kaadhal1956

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Oru kani meedhilae..yeJust like two flavors existing in a single fruit...
Iru suvai polavae…yeLike two tastes together...
Thirumanam purindha mannaOh King who married me,
Unakkaaga vazhi paarkkumWatching the path waiting for you,
Mana koyilai thediSeeking the temple of the heart,
Odivaada kannaaCome running, my beloved!
Female
Kannaalaa vaazhvilaeOh my beloved, in life...
Kaadhal poidhaanaIs love a lie?
Kannaalaa vaazhvilaeOh my beloved, in life...
Kaadhal poidhaanaIs love a lie?
Kannaalaa….Oh my beloved...
Female
Kaanilae oli veesum nilavaaiLike the moon casting its light uselessly in a forest,
Kaalam pogudhadaaTime is slipping away, my dear,
Veenilae manamae unnalaeIn vain, my heart because of you,
VedhaiyaagudhadaaIs enduring deep agony, my dear,
Veenilae manamae unnalaeIn vain, my heart because of you,
VedhaiyaagudhadaaIs enduring deep agony, my dear,
Female
Kannaalaa vaazhvilaeOh my beloved, in life...
Kaadhal poidhaanaIs love a lie?
Kannaalaa….Oh my beloved...
Female
Minnidum ulagaasaiyaaleEntangled by glittering worldly desires,
Maeni vaadudhadaMy body is wilting away, my dear,
Unnaiyae maravaamalWithout forgetting you for a moment,
Paedhai ullam thedudhadaaMy simple, innocent heart searches for you, my dear,
Unnaiyae maravaamalWithout forgetting you for a moment,
Paedhai ullam thedudhadaaMy simple, innocent heart searches for you, my dear,
Female
Kannaalaa vaazhvilaeOh my beloved, in life...
Kaadhal poidhaanaIs love a lie?
Kannaalaa….Oh my beloved...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep pain of longing and heart-wrenching separation experienced by a woman devoted to her beloved king. She recalls their divine union—comparing themselves to two sweet flavors existing within a single fruit—and wonders why love feels like a falsehood when time slips away uselessly, much like moonlight wasted in a deserted forest. Her body languishes and her heart aches in grief, yet her naive and innocent mind never forgets him, constantly searching for his return to the temple of her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

“Oru kani meedhilae..ye Iru suvai polavae…ye”

Compares the inseparable bond of marriage to two distinct tastes existing harmoniously within a single fruit.

Uvamai (Simile / Idiom)

“Kaanilae oli veesum nilavaai Kaalam pogudhadaa”

Uses the classical Tamil motif of 'Kaattil erindha nilavu' (moonlight shining in a forest), symbolizing something precious wasted without appreciation.

Rhetorical Question

“Kannaalaa vaazhvilae Kaadhal poidhaana”

The speaker questions whether love is an illusion or untruth when faced with the agonizing pain of separation.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Veenilae manamae unnalae Vedhaiyaagudhadaa”

Repetition of the initial sound 'V' across words 'Veenilae' and 'Vedhaiyaagudhadaa'.

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Trivia

This song from 'Rambaiyin Kaadhal' (1956) was composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The film starred P. Bhanumathi and K. A. Thangavelu, and was a remake of the 1939 hit movie of the same name.

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